The second follower stopped moving, his breath catching in his throat. His massive body slumped lifelessly onto the debris. It was a moment when his consecrated armor became meaningless.
Jay pulled out his dagger and knelt down. His entire body trembled with pain.
[Progress: 3.1348% -> 3.1354%]
All he had gained was a mere 6 in the fourth decimal place. He had put in twice the effort compared to the previous battle, but the result was still disastrous.
'I didn't want to pay with years of my life.'
The system window turned red again.
[Warning: Right thigh muscle rupture (Stage 3). Immediate regeneration required. Delay will result in permanent physical impairment (99.99% probability) and loss of lifespan (minimum 1.9 years).]
[Instruction: Regenerate. Time required: 1.9 years. (Lifespan payment)]
There was no choice. To face his next target, the bishop, he had to move now.
If he didn't pay with 1.9 years of his life, the irreversible physical damage would make all future battles impossible.
Jay bit his lip. The salty taste of blood filled his mouth.
"Regenerate."
At his command, light flowed from the system window and enveloped his body.
Bones shifted back into place, and torn muscle fibers reconnected at an astonishing speed.
The pain didn't disappear, but it was no longer so severe that he couldn't move.
It was an intense pain, as if years of rehabilitation therapy had been compressed into a single moment. [Physical Condition: Normal]
[Remaining Lifespan: 25.7 years]
He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
Every time he used the regeneration function, he was reminded of the chilling reality that the time he had left to return to Earth was dwindling.
He was trapped and being consumed by this world.